Why Do Individuals with Autism Struggle with Abstract Time Concepts?

PostedDecember 15, 2025

UpdatedDecember 15, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Hannah Smith, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Time is an invisible, abstract construct. We measure it using clocks, but we experience it through change and sequence. For many autistic individuals, this abstract nature of time can be challenging.
According to the NHS, autistic people often benefit from visual supports and structured routines, as abstract ideas like “later,” “soon,” or “next week” can feel uncertain or meaningless without clear visual cues.

Difficulties with executive function, working memory, and temporal processing how the brain perceives and organises time play a major role in this difference.

How the Autistic Brain Processes Time

Research shows that autistic individuals may process time intervals differently, influencing how they plan, wait, or transition between tasks.
A 2022 PubMed study found that people with higher autistic traits display reduced temporal sensitivity, meaning they perceive time more rigidly or inconsistently (PubMed, 2022).

Similarly, a 2024 fMRI study demonstrated differences in audiovisual temporal processing, showing why predicting when things will happen can be difficult (PubMed, 2024).
Another study revealed that autistic individuals perform well on timed tests but still struggle in daily life where time cues are more abstract and less explicit (PubMed, 2022).

A 2023 Autism Research paper found links between executive function challenges and time estimation, explaining why waiting, sequencing, or multitasking can cause stress or anxiety (PubMed, 2023).

Why Routine Helps

The NICE guideline CG170 recommends predictable routines and visual timetables to support understanding of time and reduce anxiety caused by unpredictability.
Autistica highlights that uncertainty especially around when things will happen can heighten anxiety in autistic people.
Visual schedules and countdowns help make time tangible, easing transitions and promoting independence.

The National Autistic Society advises teaching time concepts through sequencing, visual timers, and concrete language rather than abstract words. For example, “after breakfast” is clearer than “in a while.”

Practical Support Strategies

Make time visible: use countdowns, sand timers, or visual clocks.

Use precise language: say “in five minutes” instead of “later.”

Anchor time to daily events: link tasks to meals, TV shows, or lessons.

Create visual schedules: use colour-coded or picture-based sequences.

Build predictability: consistent routines strengthen time awareness.

Takeaway

Understanding time requires abstract reasoning and flexible thinking areas that can be uniquely challenging in autism.
By making time visible and concrete through visual supports and predictable routines, autistic individuals can develop confidence, independence, and a stronger sense of daily structure.

To explore developmental assessments and evidence-based tools for supporting time awareness, visit Autism Detect.

Hannah Smith, MSc

Author

Hannah Smith is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and over three years of experience in behaviour therapy, special education, and inclusive practices. She specialises in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and inclusive education strategies. Hannah has worked extensively with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities, delivering evidence-based interventions to support development, mental health, and well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.